Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin is a water-soluble, copper-containing semi-synthetic derivative of plant chlorophyll. Historically it was an FDA-monograph OTC 'internal deodorizer' for ostomy / fecal odor — that use was downgraded to Category III (insufficient evidence) in the modern OTC review. The most genuinely interesting evidence is from a single Chinese RCT showing 55% reduction in a biomarker of aflatoxin DNA damage in a high-exposure population. Outside aflatoxin chemoprevention and topical wound deodorization, the supplemental health claims are largely speculative.
Quick decision guide
May help most
Adults with documented high aflatoxin exposure (rare in Western diets — primarily a concern in subsistence corn/peanut-eating populations in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South/Southeast Asia, China); people with ostomies or fecal incontinence using it for odor control (anecdotal, FDA-downgraded).
Common dosing range
100 mg three times daily with meals (the Qidong RCT protocol). Most consumer supplements supply 50–100 mg per serving.
When to expect effects
Biomarker effect on aflatoxin adducts measurable at 4 months (Qidong trial). Subjective deodorizing effect, if any, reported within days. No clinical-endpoint timeline.
Watch out for
Stains stool and urine green — harmless but startling. Don't use it expecting weight loss, 'detox,' acne cure, or general anti-cancer benefit — none of those are evidenced.
Evidence snapshot
What is it
Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic, water-soluble copper salt of chlorophyll used as a supplement for internal deodorization and as a chemoprotective agent against environmental toxins.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Aflatoxin DNA-adduct reduction (biomarker chemoprevention) Good Evidence | ~55% reduction in urinary aflatoxin-N7-guanine adducts at 100 mg TID over 4 months in a high-exposure population | Adults with documented high dietary aflatoxin exposure (rare in Western contexts; relevant in subsistence corn/peanut-dependent populations) | 4 months for biomarker change in the Qidong trial |
Topical wound deodorization Limited Evidence | Anecdotal odor reduction in chronic malodorous wounds; small uncontrolled supportive data | Patients with malodorous chronic wounds under wound-care clinician guidance | Days |
Internal deodorant (fecal / ostomy odor) Mixed Evidence | Anecdotal symptom benefit; FDA classified evidence as insufficient in modern review | Adults with ostomies / fecal incontinence wanting to trial it for odor; harms are minimal so personal trial is reasonable | Days if it works for you |
'Detox,' weight loss, acne, alkalinizing Mixed Evidence | No clinical-endpoint evidence | None | Not applicable |
Aflatoxin DNA-adduct reduction (biomarker chemoprevention)
- Effect
- ~55% reduction in urinary aflatoxin-N7-guanine adducts at 100 mg TID over 4 months in a high-exposure population
- Best fit
- Adults with documented high dietary aflatoxin exposure (rare in Western contexts; relevant in subsistence corn/peanut-dependent populations)
- Time
- 4 months for biomarker change in the Qidong trial
Topical wound deodorization
- Effect
- Anecdotal odor reduction in chronic malodorous wounds; small uncontrolled supportive data
- Best fit
- Patients with malodorous chronic wounds under wound-care clinician guidance
- Time
- Days
Internal deodorant (fecal / ostomy odor)
- Effect
- Anecdotal symptom benefit; FDA classified evidence as insufficient in modern review
- Best fit
- Adults with ostomies / fecal incontinence wanting to trial it for odor; harms are minimal so personal trial is reasonable
- Time
- Days if it works for you
'Detox,' weight loss, acne, alkalinizing
- Effect
- No clinical-endpoint evidence
- Best fit
- None
- Time
- Not applicable
Evidence for 4 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
Aflatoxin DNA-adduct reduction (biomarker chemoprevention)
Biomarker supportEgner 2001 randomized 180 adults from Qidong, China — an area of historically very high dietary aflatoxin exposure — to 100 mg chlorophyllin three times daily or placebo for 4 months. Urinary aflatoxin-N7-guanine adducts (a measured biomarker of aflatoxin-DNA damage) were 55% lower with chlorophyllin (P = 0.036). Kensler's mechanistic work explains this as chlorophyllin acting as an 'interceptor molecule' that complexes aflatoxin B1 in the gut, reducing absorption. Crucially: this is a biomarker outcome, not a hepatocellular carcinoma endpoint. No RCT has demonstrated chlorophyllin reduces actual liver-cancer incidence.
Bottom line: Best-supported use, but specific to high-aflatoxin exposure contexts. Not a general cancer-prevention supplement.
Evidence is mixed
Biomarker reduction is robust in the one high-exposure-population RCT. Translation to actual cancer-incidence reduction is plausible but unproven, and the result is unlikely to be meaningful in low-aflatoxin populations.
Topical wound deodorization
Supplement benefitTopical chlorophyllin (Chloresium ointment, papain-urea-chlorophyllin combinations) has been used for decades in wound care for malodorous chronic wounds. Small case series and uncontrolled studies suggest benefit; controlled RCT evidence is limited. The mechanism — odor-molecule binding plus mild antimicrobial activity — is plausible. Used clinically by some wound-care teams as part of a broader protocol.
Bottom line: Established niche use in chronic-wound care; not a primary wound healing treatment.
Internal deodorant (fecal / ostomy odor)
Supplement benefitChlorophyllin was an FDA OTC monograph ingredient for fecal/ostomy odor reduction for decades, used in branded products like Derifil and Nullo. The original evidence base was small uncontrolled trials from the 1950s–60s. In the modern OTC review, FDA classified internal deodorants as Category III — insufficient evidence to support efficacy — and the use is no longer monograph-supported. Anecdotal benefit is reported; controlled evidence is lacking.
Bottom line: Personal trial may help. FDA stopped considering this a proven use. Real-world ostomy users still report subjective benefit.
'Detox,' weight loss, acne, alkalinizing
Mechanism onlyChlorophyllin became a wellness-marketing favorite (especially as liquid drops promoted on social media). There are no controlled human trials supporting weight loss, acne improvement, 'detox,' or systemic 'alkalinizing' effects. The marketing extrapolates from plant chlorophyll's photosynthetic role in plants and from in-vitro / animal data on heterocyclic-amine binding — neither translates to the claimed outcomes.
Bottom line: Don't pay extra for 'detox' / weight-loss / acne marketing. The evidence is mostly absent.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
Bottom line: If your use case is aflatoxin exposure or odor control, 100 mg with meals is reasonable. For general wellness or 'detox' marketing — skip.
4 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Sodium copper chlorophyllin (oral capsule / tablet)
Studied formStandard oral supplement form. The form used in the Egner 2001 Qidong trial (100 mg three times daily). Most consumer products supply 50–100 mg per capsule.
Standard solid dose form; aflatoxin-binding mechanism is gut-local.
Liquid chlorophyllin drops
Wellness marketingConcentrated liquid drops to add to water. Dose varies by product. Stains teeth and tongue if not diluted. Often marketed for 'detox' / weight loss / acne, none of which is evidenced.
Same active; drink through a straw to minimize tooth/tongue staining.
Topical chlorophyllin (Chloresium / wound-care ointment)
Wound-care nicheChlorophyllin-containing ointments and spray products used in chronic-wound care for odor management. Often combined with papain-urea for enzymatic debridement. Used under clinician supervision.
Topical use; systemic absorption minimal.
Plant chlorophyll (whole leafy greens)
Food source — different moleculePlant chlorophyll a / b in leafy greens is fat-soluble and chemically distinct from semi-synthetic water-soluble chlorophyllin. The two are not interchangeable — health-claim evidence for chlorophyllin doesn't transfer to dietary chlorophyll, and vice versa.
Different molecule; poorly absorbed without bile, and not the same as supplemental chlorophyllin.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
Copper content — sodium copper chlorophyllin contains copper. People with Wilson disease or other copper metabolism disorders should avoid.
Rare hypersensitivity reactions, including itching and burning at application sites for topical formulations.
Who should avoid it
- People with Wilson disease or other copper accumulation disorders.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people — insufficient safety data at supplement doses.
- Children — not adequately studied for non-prescribed use.
- Anyone using it as a replacement for evidence-based interventions (weight loss, acne care, cancer screening, food-safety practices).
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Chlorophyllin has not been adequately studied in pregnancy or lactation. Given the optional / non-essential nature of any benefit, avoid supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Bottom line: Generally well-tolerated in adults at typical supplement doses. Main 'side effect' is harmless green discoloration. Avoid in pregnancy, lactation, and Wilson disease.
Interactions
Chlorophyllin can theoretically bind co-ingested compounds in the gut. While clinically meaningful drug interactions are not documented, separate from time-critical medications by at least 1–2 hours when in doubt.
Some chlorophyllin products are formulated with vitamin K-rich plant materials (alfalfa) that could affect INR. Pure sodium copper chlorophyllin itself has no documented warfarin interaction.
Chlorophyllin contributes a small amount of copper. Combined with separate copper supplements, total intake may approach or exceed the UL of 10 mg/day for adults. Zinc supplements compete with copper absorption and may offset this.
Food sources
| Food | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium copper chlorophyllin supplement | 100 mg per capsule | — |
| Liquid chlorophyllin drops | 1 mL (~50–100 mg, product-dependent) | — |
| Spinach (plant chlorophyll — different molecule) | 1 cup raw (~24 mg chlorophyll) | — |
| Parsley, raw | 1 cup (~38 mg chlorophyll) | — |
| Kale, raw | 1 cup chopped (~23 mg chlorophyll) | — |
| Wheatgrass juice | 1 oz (~10–15 mg chlorophyll, product-dependent) | — |
| Spirulina | 1 g (~10 mg chlorophyll) | — |
Sodium copper chlorophyllin supplement
- Amount
- 100 mg per capsule
- %DV
- —
Liquid chlorophyllin drops
- Amount
- 1 mL (~50–100 mg, product-dependent)
- %DV
- —
Spinach (plant chlorophyll — different molecule)
- Amount
- 1 cup raw (~24 mg chlorophyll)
- %DV
- —
Parsley, raw
- Amount
- 1 cup (~38 mg chlorophyll)
- %DV
- —
Kale, raw
- Amount
- 1 cup chopped (~23 mg chlorophyll)
- %DV
- —
Wheatgrass juice
- Amount
- 1 oz (~10–15 mg chlorophyll, product-dependent)
- %DV
- —
Spirulina
- Amount
- 1 g (~10 mg chlorophyll)
- %DV
- —
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Is chlorophyllin the same as chlorophyll?⌄
No; chlorophyllin is a water-soluble derivative with copper replacing the natural magnesium center.
References by claim
Aflatoxin DNA-adduct reduction (biomarker chemoprevention)
Internal deodorant (fecal / ostomy odor)
Track Chlorophyllin with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.